About the role

The National Centre for Earth Observation (NCEO) are looking for a Personal Assistant to provide secretariat and administrative support to the NCEO Executive Director. The Director leads a national, cross-university, research council-funded centre specialising in observations of the Earth from satellites in space. The post holder will support the Director by organising diary appointments, dealing with enquiries, supporting the Director in his tasks, receiving visitors, arranging meetings and making travel arrangements.

The role is based at our headquarters, Space Park Leicester. Working in our Headquarters environment at Space Park, alongside the Director, is an important aspect of the role. We offer flexibility to work from home, currently on one or two days per week depending on the Director’s plans, meetings, and staffing of the offices.

The role is advertised until December 2026 but it is fully expected to extend the contract as further research funding is confirmed. Significant funding has already been secured to 2029 and beyond.

This is a unique opportunity to work with a national UK and specialist research centre with a profile across the UK, linking a dedicated group of researchers, practitioners and operations staff across a number of UK universities and research institutes.

The role will provide exciting insights into the fascinating world of space and environmental science. You will be based at the equally unique Space Park Leicester, part of the University of Leicester, which brings together researchers, industry and UK public agencies in one building to build new partnerships in the space world.

About you

This is an exciting opportunity to gain experience of a national organisation whilst also working in a university environment. We are looking for someone who is highly organised, communicates well and enjoys the challenge of managing to fit multiple commitments in any given day for a very busy Director.

You will be a skilled and insightful individual, ideally with experience of organising, scheduling, travel planning and documenting of activities. You will be comfortable working quickly and adapting to changing needs, interacting with many people particularly by email or online calls, and acting professionally with a “can do” attitude.

You will also be able to prioritise your time and identify where timelines or schedules need to change to fit with reasonable working hours.

Additional information

Informal enquiries are welcome and should be made to Professor John Remedios, Executive Director of the National Centre for Earth Observation (NCEO) at [email protected].

As part of the University’s ongoing commitment to professional development, this role will also be considered on a seconded basis for existing staff members. Please ensure this is discussed with your line manager prior to applying. More information regarding secondments can be found here

The University of Leicester has been changing the world, and changing people’s lives, for 100 years. When you join us, you’ll become part of a community of Citizens of Change, which includes not only our staff and our current students but also thousands of Leicester graduates around the world.

As a diverse and forward-thinking employer, we embed the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion into everything we do. That includes not just our core missions of teaching and research, but also our support for staff, students and our local community through our values of Inspiring, Impactful and Inclusive.

We’re committed to the wellbeing of all our staff and to the sustainability of our environment, on our campus and beyond. We offer a competitive salary package, excellent pension scheme and a generous annual leave allowance, along with opportunities to develop your career in a supportive and collaborative environment.